Les travaux de recherche présentés ici avaient pour objectif principal la synthèse de copolymères statistiques à base d’éthylène et d’acide acrylique (AA). Pour cela, la déprotection des groupements esters d’un copolymère statistique précurseur, le poly(éthylène-co-(tert-butyl)acrylate), a été effectuée par hydrolyse à l’aide d’iodure de triméthylsilyle. La synthèse de ce précurseur est réalisée par polymérisation catalytique en présence d’un système à base de Palladium (Pd). Le deuxième objectif a été d’étudier et de caractériser des polymères synthétisés à l’état solide et en suspension colloïdale. Plusieurs copolymères précurseurs comprenant différents pourcentages molaires en tert-butyl acrylate (4 à 12% molaires) ont été synthétisés avec succès, puis déprotégés par hydrolyse pour obtenir des poly(éthylène-coacide acrylique) (pE-co-AA) avec différentes compositions. Seuls les copolymères comprenant 10% molaire ou plus de AA sont solubles dans le Tétrahydrofurane (THF) et uniquement dans ce solvant. De telles solutions peuvent être dialysées dans l’eau, ce qui conduit à un échange lent entre cette dernière et le THF, et l’autoassemblage du copolymère dans l’eau peut ensuite être étudié. C’est ainsi qu’ont pu être observées des nanoparticules stables dans le temps dont le comportement est sensible au pH et à la température. Les polymères synthétisés ont été caractérisés par Résonance Magnétique Nucléaire (RMN) ainsi que par spectroscopie Infra-Rouge (IR), avant et après déprotection. Les pourcentages molaires d’AA ont été déterminés par combinaison des résultats de RMN et ii de titrages conductimètriques. A l’état solide, les échantillons ont été analysés par Calorimétrie différentielle à balayage (DSC) et par Diffraction des rayons X. Les solutions colloïdales des polymères pE-co-AA ont été caractérisées par Diffusion dynamique de la lumière et par la DSC-haute sensibilité. De la microscopie électronique à transmission (TEM) a permis de visualiser la forme et la taille des nanoparticules. / The first objective of this research is to synthesize random linear copolymers of ethylene and acrylic acid (AA). The synthesis relies on the deprotection of the functional groups in the copolymer’s precursor, which is represented by poly(ethylene-co-tertbutyl acrylate). The synthesis of the precursor was realized by the catalytic approach, where Pd-based catalytic systems are frequently utilized nowadays. The deprotection was carried out by hydrolysis of the ester functionality using trimethylsilyl iodide agent. The second objective is to investigate and characterize the synthesized polymers in the bulk and in colloidal solution. A set of different precursor polymers with various degrees of molar incorporation of tertbutyl acrylate (from 4 to 12 mol %) was successfully synthesized and deprotected. The resulting poly(ethylene-co-acrylic acid) copolymers were found to be soluble in tetrahydrofuran THF, when the molar incorporation of AA reaches the value of 12 and more. This aspect gave the possibility to study the self-assembly of this copolymer in aqueous medium by slow THF to water exchange (dialysis). It was found that the copolymers self-assemble into nano-sized structures and these nanoparticles remain stable in colloidal solution for extended periods of time. Moreover, it was shown that the nanoparticles formed by the discussed copolymer possess thermo- and pH-responsive behaviour. The polymers synthesized were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and infrared spectroscopies (IR) before and after deprotection. The bulk samples were analyzed by conventional differential scanning calorimetry and by X-ray diffraction iv technique. The molar percentages of AA were determined using a combination of NMR and conductimetric titration. Colloidal solutions of pE-co-AA copolymers were analyzed by dynamic light scattering and high-sensitivity differential scanning calorimetry techniques. The nanoparticles formed were visualized and characterized by transmission electron microscopy.

Submitted by Emanuel Varela Cardoso (emanuel.varela@ufcg.edu.br) on 2018-06-28T22:08:37Z No. of bitstreams: 1 JEANE PAULINO DE ARAÚJO – DISSERTAÇÃO (UAEMa) 2015.pdf: 2128480 bytes, checksum: 70c9e8ae2b3e956c8dd6515d58ebc9d0 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-06-28T22:08:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 JEANE PAULINO DE ARAÚJO – DISSERTAÇÃO (UAEMa) 2015.pdf: 2128480 bytes, checksum: 70c9e8ae2b3e956c8dd6515d58ebc9d0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-06-28 / Capes / O poli(ácido lático) (PLA) tem despertado grande interesse tanto da academia como da indústria devido principalmente a sua biodegradabilidade, algumas propriedades mecânicas atraentes e por ser sintetizado a partir de matéria-prima de fontes renováveis. Entretanto, o PLA apresenta algumas desvantagens, como alta fragilidade, baixa taxa de cristalização, sensibilidade a umidade e a degradação em altas temperaturas, que limitam suas aplicações e comprometem seu processamento e desempenho final, sendo necessário muitas vezes modificar o PLA para que este possa atender as expectativas de mercado. Desse modo, foi realizada a modificação do PLA através de blendas com o polietileno enxertado com ácido acrílico (PEgAA), sendo avaliada a reatividade entre os grupos funcionais dos dois polímeros e o efeito de diferentes concentrações do copolímero PEgAA nas propriedades das blendas. As blendas PLA/PEgAA contendo 5, 10, 15 e 20% (em massa) do PEgAA foram preparados em uma extrusora dupla-rosca corrotacional, sendo caracterizadas por espectroscopia na região do infravermelho com transformada de Fourier (FTIR), calorimetria exploratória diferencial (DSC), análise térmica dinâmico-mecânica (DMTA), propriedades mecânicas, microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), difratometria de raios X (DRX) e ensaios reológicos. A análise por FTIR indicou a ocorrência de uma reação de poliesterificação entre os grupos hidroxila do PLA e os grupos carboxila do PEgAA. As análises DSC e DMTA indicaram que a adição do PEgAA levou à diminuição tanto da temperatura de transição vítrea (Tg) como da temperatura de cristalização a frio (Tcc) do PLA nas blendas. Com o aumento do teor de PEgAA nas blendas houve aumento do tamanho dos domínios de PEgAA. Com a incorporação do PEgAA houve ligeiro aumento da resistência ao impacto para as blendas com 5 e 10% do PEgAA em relação ao PLA puro. A blenda PLA/PEgAA contendo 15% do PEgAA apresentou maior viscosidade complexa e o módulo de armazenamento a baixas frequências. / The poly(lactic acid) (PLA) has attracted great interest from both academia and industry mainly due to its biodegradability, some attractive mechanical properties and because it is synthesized from raw materials from renewable sources. However, PLA has some drawbacks such as high brittleness, low crystallization rate, sensitivity to moisture, and deterioration at high temperatures, which limit its applications and compromise its processing and final performance, needing to be modified, so it can meet market expectations. Thus, the modification of PLA was carried by blending it with polyethylene grafted with acrylic acid (PEgAA), assessing the reactivity between the functional groups of the two polymers and the effect of different PEgAA copolymer content on the properties of PLA/PEgAA blend. PLA/PEgAA blends containing 5, 10, 15 and 20% (wt) of PEgAA were prepared in a co-rotational twinscrew extruder, and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), mechanical properties, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and rheological measurements. FTIR results indicated that a polyesterification reaction between the hydroxyl groups of PLA and the carboxyl groups of PEgAA has occurred. DSC and DMTA analyses indicated that the addition of PEgAA to PLA led to the decrease in both the glass transition (Tg) and the cold crystallization (Tcc) temperatures. The PEgAA domains size increased with the increase in the PEgAA content. With the addition of PEgAA there was a slight increase in the impact strength of the blends containing 5 and 10% of PEgAA, when compared to that of neat PLA. The PLA/PEgAA blend containing 15% (wt) of PEgAA presented the highest complex viscosity and storage modulus at low frequencies.

O objetivo principal deste trabalho foi a formação de um material que possa responder aos estímulos pH e elétrico na liberação controlada de fármaco. Assim, hidrogéis condutores foram obtidos pela combinação do hidrogel de ácido acrílico com o polímero condutor polipirrol. O polipirrol foi eletroquimicamente polimerizado no interior do hidrogel e o material obtido (AA-PPi) conservou a propriedade de intumescimento que é característico dos hidrogéis e a eletroatividade, dos polímeros condutores. Além disso, o grau de intumescimento variou com a força iônica e pH. A liberação da safranina pelo hidrogel de AA-PPi foi estudada combinando os estímulos de pH e potencial e o resultado mais interessante foi a obtenção do perfil cuja velocidade de liberação foi constante, indicando uma cinética de ordem zero. Liberação do tipo liga-desliga foi estudada com o intuito de verificar se o AA-PPi pode ser controlado por pH e/ou potencial elétrico. Foi observado que dependendo da combinação de pH e potencial, o hidrogel pode ser controlado, por variação de pH ou de potencial elétrico. Outro hidrogel sintetizado foi o do hidrogel de AA contendo o poli(3,4-etilenodioxitiofeno):poli(estireno sulfonado), este por sua vez foi polimerizado quimicamente. Porém os resultados preliminares indicaram incompatibilidade entre os dois polímeros / The aim of this work was to obtain a material that can respond to both pH and potential stimuli for drug release. Thus, eletroactive hydrogels were synthesized by the combination of the properties of acrylic acid hydrogels with the conducting polymer polypyrrole. The polypyrrole was electrochemically polymerized into the hydrogel (AA-PPi), and the material retained the swelling properties that is characteristic of hydrogels and electroactivity of conducting polymers. Furthermore, the degree of swelling varied with the ionic strength and pH. The safranin release by AA-PPi was mensured under the combination of pH and potential stimuli and the most interesting result was obtained from the linear profile indicating a zero-order kinetics. On-off release profile was studied in order to verify if the AA-PPi can be controled by pH and/or electric potential. Depending on the combination of pH or electrochemical potential, the hydrogel had pH or electrochemical control. Other hydrogel synthesized was from AA hydrogel containing poly(3,4- ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate, this, in other hand, was chemically polymerized. However, preliminary results indicate incompatibility between the two polymers

The goal of this master's thesis was to develop a method for gas chromatography using the Controlled Evaporation Mixer (CEM) for gas mixture sampling. Gas mixture contained chemical substances formed during manufacturing of acrylic acid by two-step oxidation of propylene. The analyzed mixture composed of permanent gases, light hydrocarbons and compounds containing oxygen. During the method development several capillary columns with polar and nonpolar stationary phase were used. After selection of the most suitable column (SPB-1 Sulfur, Supelco, USA) the method was further optimized for the maximal possible separation efficiency. However, it was impossible to separate propane and propene on SPB-1 Sulfur column. These gases were possible to determine on TCD detector and separate on respective columns prior to the detector. For that purpose, the optimization of multiple-port valves switching inside the gas chromatograph was performed. The next step was calibration of gas chromatograph for a purpose of quantitative analysis of selected substances. The calibration solution containing solvent and an analyte was evaporated and diluted with nitrogen by CEM to obtain desired analyte concentration. Formaldehyde and propane had a very low response on detectors, acetaldehyde was undetectable in desired...

Différents phosphates ont été préparés et testés pour la déshydratation de l'acide lactique en phase gaz. La sélectivité en acide acrylique dépend fortement de la température de réaction mais peu du temps de contact. A 380°C, des valeurs de sélectivité allant de 19 à 50% ont été mesurées pour des phosphates alcalino-terreux qui sont stables sur au moins 24 h. Des mesures d'acido-basicité ont montré que ces phosphates contiennent une forte proportion de sites de même force faible. De plus, une corrélation entre la sélectivité en acide acrylique et le ratio molaire acide/base a été établie : elle atteint 50% pour un rapport proche de 1 et diminue lorsque ce ratio augmente. L'acide lactique étant thermiquement peu stable (fonction acide très réactive), nous nous sommes tournés vers la conversion du lactate d'éthyle pur. Les sélectivités en produits de déshydratation sont largement favorisées avec une sélectivité maximale de 87% à 15% de conversion. Cependant, les catalyseurs sont moins actifs et se désactivent fortement sur 24 h. La désactivation peut être inhibée par ajout d'eau dans la phase gaz. La caractérisation de surface a montré que les vitesses de réaction augmentent avec le rapport P/M et a révélé la présence d'une phase amorphe hydroxylée correspondant à des mono, dihydrogénophosphates ou des polyphosphates. Les groupements P-OH présents dans cette phase sont consommés ou modifiés en condition de réaction pour les deux réactifs suggérant qu'ils constituent des sites actifs. Enfin, le suivi DRIFT des TPD-NH3 a permis de proposer que des paires acide-base (M2+ et P-O-) sont dosées dans ce cas. Elles constitueraient le site d'adsorption de l'acide lactique conduisant ensuite à un mécanisme de déshydratation de type E2 / Various alkaline-earth phosphates were prepared and evaluated for gas phase dehydration of lactic acid. Selectivity to acrylic acid strongly depends on the reaction temperature but not on the contact time. At 380 °C, values ranging from 19 to 49% were measured for alkaline–earth phosphates catalysts that are stable for at least 24 h. Acid–base properties measurements revealed that such phosphates contain high proportion of acidic and basic sites with same weak strength. Furthermore, correlation between selectivity to acrylic acid and the acid–base balance was clearly established: it was 50% for balance close to 1 and decreased increasing this parameter. Because of poor thermal stability of lactic acid, we then focused on the ethyl lactate conversion. Selectivities in dehydration products were much higher with a maxima of 87% at 15% conversion. However, the catalysts were less active and stable. The deactivation can be inhibited adding water in the gas phase. Surface characterization of catalysts showed that catalytic activities are correlated with the P/M ratio and revealed the presence of an hydroxylated amorphous phase corresponding to mono / dihydrogenophosphates or polyphosphates. The P-OH species present in these phases are consumed or modified for both reactants suggesting that they are active sites. Finally, NH3-TPD measurements followed by DRIFT suggested that acid base pairs (M2+ and P-O-) are then probed. Such pairs would constitute the adsorption site of lactic acid which then dehydrate in acrylic acid by an E2 mechanism

The water sorption of the films of polyacrylic acid, guar gum, gellan gum and PAA-guar, PAA-gellan mixtures of different compositions, prepared at 25°C and 70°C, was studied. The chemical potentials of water Δμ1, polymer component Δμ2, the average Gibbs energy of interaction of polymers and mixtures with water Δgm, the average Gibbs mixing energy of PAA and guar, PAA and gellan Δgx have been determined. It is established that the increase in the preparation temperature significantly enhances the films’ sorption capacity in relation to water. It is determined that the Gibbs mixing energy of polyacrylic acid with guar and gellan are negative for all component ratios (Δgx <0). The second derivative of Gibbs energy for PAA-guar mixtures has different signs, and in a wide range of concentrations of the mixture it is negative. This indicates the absence of compatibility and the formation of two-phase colloidal systems in mixtures of guar with PAA. In contrast to this for PAA-guar mixtures the second derivative of Gibbs energy is positive for all component ratios. This indicates the polymer compatibilityю The increase in the preparation temperature of mixtures leads to an increase in the interaction of the components in the two-phase system, which may be related to the reduction in size of the associates of macromolecules of guar in aqueous solutions. / Изучена равновесная сорбция паров воды пленками полиакриловой кислоты ПАК, гуара геллана и смесями ПАК-гуар разного состава, приготовленными при 25 °C и 70 °C. Рассчитаны разности химических потенциалов воды Δμ1, полимерных компонентов Δμ2, средние удельные энергии Гиббса взаимодействия полимеров и смесей с водой Δgm и друг сдругом Δgx. Установлено, что повышение температуры приготовления пленок значительно увеличивает их сорбционную способность по отношению к воде. Обнаружено, что энергии Гиббса смешения гуара и геллана с полиакриловой кислотой отрицательны при всех соотношениях компонентов (Δgx < 0). Вторая производная энергии Гиббса по составу имеет разные знаки, и для системы гуар – ПАК в широкой области концентраций смеси она отрицательна. Это свидетельствует об отсутствии совместимости и образовании двухфазных коллоидных систем в смесях гуара с ПАК. В противоположность этому для системы ПАК-геллан величина положительна во всей области составов. Это свидетельствует о совместимости полимеров. При этом повышение температуры приготовления смесей приводит к усилению взаимодействия компонентов в двухфазной системе, что может быть связано с уменьшением размеров ассоциатов макромолекул гуара в водных растворах при повышении температуры.

No description available.

[ES] La ingeniería tisular ha evolucionado hacia el modelado de la fisiología humana in vitro. El microambiente de la médula ósea (BM) es también hogar de procesos malignos. El mieloma múltiple (MM) es una neoplasia hematológica caracterizada por proliferación y acumulación en la BM de células plasmáticas monoclonales. Los tratamientos han mejorado, sin embargo, sigue siendo incurable. Moléculas de la matriz extracelular como fibronectina (FN) o ácido hialurónico (HA) tienen un papel reconocido en la resistencia a fármacos (DR). La inadecuación de los modelos preclínicos bidimensionales es una de las bases del problema de DR. Se han intentado diferentes enfoques in vitro, sin embargo, se basan en hidrogeles y andamios celulares diseñados para células adherentes, mientras que las células de MM presentan crecimiento en suspensión. El objetivo principal de esta Tesis es desarrollar, optimizar y validar una plataforma de cultivo 3D, denominada microgel, basada en microesferas en un medio líquido y que coexisten con células de MM creciendo dinámicamente en suspensión. Se desarrollaron y caracterizaron diferentes microesferas con diferentes funcionalizaciones. Optimizamos un protocolo de polimerización en suspensión para la obtención de microesferas a base de acrilatos con dos composiciones diferentes (presencia (10%) o ausencia (0%) de ácido acrílico (AA)) i dos distribuciones de tamaño diferentes (< 60 y > 70 ¿m). La FN se adsorbió en la superficie de la microesfera, mientras que el HA, colágeno I y diferentes secuencias peptídicas se injertaron covalentemente. Se modificaron las microesferas comerciales Cytodex 1 para adaptar sus características a la plataforma. Se utilizaron técnicas capa por capa (LbL) para introducir HA y sulfato de condroitina (CS) en su superficie. Por tanto, se ha generado un amplio repertorio de microesferas para desarrollar microgeles. Se optimizaron y validaron las condiciones de cultivo para la plataforma de microgel. Las condiciones óptimas se establecieron como 150 rpm de velocidad de agitación utilizando un agitador orbital y microesferas de < 60 ¿m. Los microgeles con diferentes composiciones y funcionalizaciones permitieron una buena proliferación de las líneas RPMI8226, U226 y MM1.S. Todos los sistemas respetaron el patrón de crecimiento en suspensión, factor que ha demostrado ser clave para su buen desempeño en cultivo 3D. En estudios iniciales de DR, la línea celular RPMI8226 cultivada en microgeles que contenían AA mostró una resistencia significativamente mayor a la dexametasona que sus cultivos en suspensión. Y las líneas RPMI8226, U226 y MM1.S cultivadas en microgeles que contenían AA mostraron una resistencia significativamente mayor a bortezomib que sus cultivos en suspensión. Por lo tanto, la presencia de AA en la matriz polimérica mostró un efecto positivo en la generación de DR in vitro y requerirá más estudios. Se ha validado la reducción de escala del sistema para trabajar con volúmenes más pequeños de microesferas y números reducidos de células, lo que es de gran relevancia para su traslación clínica. Finalmente, se han realizado cultivos preliminares con la línea celular RPMI8226 en los microgeles basados en Cytodex 1. Las microesferas de Cytodex 1 sin modificación tuvieron un efecto negativo sobre la viabilidad de las células de MM. La modificación mediante LbL con los pares quitosano/CS y quitosano/HA aumentó la viabilidad y proliferación. Sin embargo, estos sistemas no respetaron el carácter no adherente de las células MM. Hemos desarrollado y validado un novedoso sistema de cultivo basado en un medio 3D semisólido definido por microesferas y células de MM especialmente diseñado para células en suspensión. Este sistema constituye una herramienta versátil que debe explorarse más a fondo para el cultivo 3D de neoplasias hematológicas y para estudios de resistencia a fármacos in vitro. / [CAT] L'enginyeria tissular ha evolucionat cap al modelat de la fisiologia humana in vitro. El complex microambient de la medul·la òssia (BM) és també llar d'alguns processos malignes. El mieloma múltiple (MM) és una neoplàsia hematològica caracteritzada per una proliferació i acumulació a la BM de cèl·lules plasmàtiques monoclonals. Els tractaments han millorat, no obstant, el MM segueix sent incurable. Molècules de la matriu extracel·lular com fibronectina (FN) o àcid hialurònic (HA) tenen un paper reconegut en la generació de resistència a fàrmacs (DR) en MM. La inadequació dels models preclínics bidimensionals és una de les bases del problema de DR. Per això, s'han intentat diferents aproximacions in vitro, tanmateix es basen en hidrogels i andamis cel·lulars dissenyats per a cèl·lules adherents, mentre que les cèl·lules de MM presenten creixement en suspensió. L'objectiu principal d'aquesta Tesi és desenvolupar, optimitzar i validar una plataforma de cultiu 3D, denominada microgel, basada en microesferes en un medi líquid i que coexisteixen amb cèl·lules de MM que creixen dinàmicament en suspensió. S'han produït i caracteritzat diferents microesferes amb diferents funcionalitzacions. S'ha optimitzat un protocol de polimerització en suspensió per a l'obtenció de microesferes d'acrilats amb dues composicions diferents (presència (10%) o absència (0%) d'àcid acrílic (AA)) i amb dos distribucions de diàmetres diferents (< 60 y > 70 ¿m). La FN es va adsorbir, mentre que el HA, el col·lagen I i diferents seqüències peptídiques es van unir covalentment. S'han modificat microesferes comercials Cytodex 1 per tal d'adaptar les seves característiques a la plataforma del microgel. Mitjançant tècniques capa a capa (LbL) s'han introduït HA i sulfat de condroïtina (CS) a la seua superfície. Per tant, s'ha generat un ampli repertori de microesferes per desenvolupar microgels. Es van optimitzar i validar les condicions de cultiu per a la plataforma de microgel. Les condicions òptimes de cultiu es varen establir com a 150 rpm de velocitat d'agitació utilitzant un agitador orbital i microesferes de < 60 ¿m. Els microgels amb diferents composicions i funcionalitzacions van permetre una bona proliferació de les línies RPMI8226, U226 i MM1.S. Tots els sistemes van respectar el patró de creixement en suspensió, factor que ha demostrat ser clau per al seu bon rendiment en cultius 3D. En estudis inicials de DR línia cel·lular RPMI8226 cultivada en microgels que contenien AA va mostrar una resistència significativament major a la dexametasona que els seus cultius en suspensió convencionals. Línies RPMI8226, U226 y MM1.S cultivades en microgels que contenien AA mostraren una resistència significativament major a bortezomib que els seus cultius en suspensió convencionals. Per tant, la presencia d'AA a la matriu polimèrica de les microesferes va mostrar un efecte positiu en termes de generació de DR in vitro, cosa que requerirà estudis futurs. S'ha validat la reducció de l'escala del sistema per treballar amb volums més petits de microesferes i menys cèl·lules, el que és de gran rellevància per a la seva translació clínica. Finalment, s'han realitzat cultius preliminars amb la línia cel·lular RPMI8226 en els microgels basats en les Cytodex 1. Les microesferes de Cytodex 1 sense modificar van mostrar efecte negatiu sobre la viabilitat de les cèl·lules de MM. La modificació mitjançant LbL amb els parells quitosà/CS i quitosà/HA va augmentar la viabilitat i proliferació de cèl·lules MM. No obstant, aquests sistemes no respectaren el caràcter no adherent de les cèl·lules de MM. S'ha desenvolupat i validat un nou sistema de cultiu cel·lular basat en un medi 3D semisòlid definit per microesferes i cèl·lules de MM, especialment dissenyat per a cèl·lules no adherents. Aquest sistema constitueix una eina versàtil que ha de ser explorada per al cultiu 3D de neoplàsies hematològiques i per a estudis de resistència a fàrmacs in vitro. / [EN] Tissue engineering has evolved towards modeling of human physiology in vitro. The bone marrow (BM) microenvironment is likewise the home of some malignant processes. Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematological neoplasia characterized by proliferation and BM accumulation of monoclonal plasma cells. Treatments have improved; however, MM remains incurable. Extracellular matrix molecules such as fibronectin (FN) or hyaluronic acid (HA) have a recognized role in drug resistance (DR). The inadequacy of two-dimensional preclinical models is one cause of the DR problem, different in vitro approaches have been developed, however, all these studies are based on hydrogels and scaffolds designed for adherent cells while MM cells are suspension growing cells. The main objective of this Thesis is to develop, optimize and validate a 3D culture platform, termed as microgel, based on microspheres suspended in a liquid media and coexisting with MM cells growing dynamically in suspension. Different microspheres with different functionalities were developed and characterized. We optimized a suspension polymerization protocol for the obtention of acrylates-based microspheres with two different compositions: with presence (10%) or absence (0%) of acrylic acid (AA). We obtained two different size distributions (< 60 and > 70 ¿m). FN was adsorbed on microsphere surface, while HA, collagen I and different peptide sequences were covalently grafted. Commercial Cytodex 1 microspheres were modified to adapt their characteristics to the microgel platform. Layer-by-layer (LbL) technics were used to introduce HA and chondroitin sulfate (CS) on Cytodex 1 surface. Therefore, a wide repertoire of microspheres has been generated to develop microgels. The culture conditions for the microgel platform were optimized and validated. Agitation is needed to keep microspheres and cells in suspension. Optimal culture conditions were 150 rpm of stirring speed using orbital shaker and < 60 ¿m diameter microspheres. Microgels with different compositions (0% AA, 10% AA) and functionalizations (none, HA, FN, collagen 1 and peptide sequences) allowed good proliferation of RPMI8226, U226 and MM1.S cells under 3D conditions. All the 3D systems respected the suspension growth pattern which appears as key factor for their good performance in 3D culture. In the initial DR studies, we found that MM cell line RPMI8226 cultured in microgels containing AA showed significantly higher resistance to dexamethasone than their conventional suspension cultures. And that MM cell lines RPMI8226, U226 and MM1.S cultured in microgels containing AA showed significantly higher resistance to bortezomib than their conventional suspension cultures. Thus, AA in the polymeric microsphere matrix showed a positive effect on the generation of DR in vitro and will require further studies. The scale-down of the system to work with smaller volumes of microspheres and reduced cell numbers has been validated, this is of great relevance for their clinical application. Finally, preliminary cultures with the cell line RPMI8226 have been performed with the Cytodex 1-based microgels. Cytodex 1 microspheres without modification had a negative effect on MM cells viability. LbL modification with the pairs chitosan/CS and chitosan/HA increased MM cells viability and proliferation. However, these systems did not respect the non-adherent character of MM cells. We have developed and validated a novel cell culture system based on a semi-solid 3D media defined by microspheres and MM cells which is specially designed for cells in suspension. It represents a versatile tool that should be further explored for the 3D culture of hematological malignancies and drug resistance studies in vitro. / Me gustaría agradecer al Servicio de Microscopía de la UPV y a sus técnicos por su valiosa ayuda con las técnicas de microscopía electrónica, a la Agencia Estatal de Investigación (proyecto PID2019-106099RB-C41 / AEI / 10.13039/501100011033) y al Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (ayuda predoctoral FPU17/05810) que han financiado esta Tesis. / Clara Trujillo, S. (2022). Development of a 3D in Vitro Disease Model for Multiple Myeloma [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/186054 / TESIS

Actuellement produit à partir du pétrole, une voie de synthèse de l'acide acrylique (AA) à partir du glycérol est envisagée. Cependant, cet AA bio-sourcé contient davantage d'acide propionique (AP) que l'AA issu du propylène. Les techniques classiques de purification ne permettent pas de séparer les deux acides. Le diagramme de phases liquide-solide du binaire AA + AP est déterminé. Il présente un point eutectique à 25,65 % (mol) d'AA, un point péritectique à 50,00 % (mol) d'AA et donc, un large domaine dans lequel l'AA cristallise thermodynamiquement de façon pure. Les essais de purification en mode statique sur paroi froide affichent des résultats prometteurs, une efficacité de séparation correcte pour un rendement de 60 %. Afin d'améliorer les transferts de matière et de chaleur, des dispositifs en mode dynamique sont mis au point dont un cristallisoir en film tombant. Ce dispositif permet de multiplier par 2,8 la productivité, tout en conservant une bonne efficacité de séparation. Afin de diminuer la surfusion et de maintenir un bon transfert thermique malgré une couche cristalline relativement isolante, des surfaces de cristallisation micro- et milli-structurées sont envisagées. La productivité est encore améliorée et la modélisation du transfert thermique confirme ces résultats expérimentaux. Afin de se rapprocher des conditions industrielles, un brut synthétique de bio-AA est purifié. La cristallisation en milieu fondu permet de séparer toutes les impuretés testées. Enfin, un modèle de cascade de cristallisoirs fermés, avec recyclage des différentes phases, est proposé afin de dimensionner le procédé global. Les essais en conditions presque réelles et l'intensification du procédé de cristallisation permettent d'envisager sereinement la mise en oeuvre du procédé industriel / With a global market exceeding four million tons per year, acrylic acid (AA) is a major intermediate chemical. The current AA synthesis is based on propylene, which is produced from oil. Thus, a novel production route is envisioned, based on glycerol, a green byproduct of oleochemistry and biodiesel production. However, current crude biobased AA contains a higher proportion of PA than AA from petrochemical origin. Classical purification techniques of AA cannot efficiently separate these two chemicals. In a first part, liquid-solid phase diagram of the binary system AA + PA is determined. This liquid-solid equilibrium exhibits an peritectic behavior at 50.0% (mol) of AA, a eutectic point at 25.65% (mol) of AA and thus, this diagram is favorable to the purification of AA. First purification tests by static solid layer melt crystallization show promising results: a correct separation efficiency for a yield varying between 60 et 70 %. To improve heat and mass transfer, dynamic crystallization set-up are developed, including a falling film crystallizer. This set-up multiplies by 2.8 the productivity of purification, while keeping a good separation efficiency. To reduce supercooling and to keep a good heat transfer despite the crystalline layer which is a thermal insulator, micro-and milli-structured crystallization surface are considered. Productivity is further improved and heat transfer modeling confirms the experimental results. To be nearer to industrial conditions, synthetic crude bio-AA is purified. Melt crystallization can separate all the impurities which are present in the medium. To scale-up the overall process a cascade model of batch crystallizers with recycling of the differents phases, is proposed. The intensification of the melt crystallization process permits to consider the implementation of the industrial process

Les copolymères à blocs amphiphiles sont des macromolécules composées d’au moins un bloc hydrophile lié chimiquement à un ou plusieurs blocs hydrophobes. En milieu aqueux, ils s’auto-associent pour former des micelles dont les cœurs constitués des blocs hydrophobes sont protégés de l’eau par une couronne constituée des blocs hydrophiles hydratés. La majorité des copolymères à blocs amphiphiles génèrent dans l’eau des micelles « gelées » ne présentant aucun échange de chaînes entre elles. Ceci vient du fait que l’énergie nécessaire pour extraire un bloc hydrophobe du cœur des objets est beaucoup trop importante. Par conséquent, les caractéristiques des micelles sont plus contrôlées cinétiquement que thermodynamiquement. Pour diminuer cette énergie nous avons incorporé des unités hydrophile acide acrylique (AA) dans le bloc hydrophobe de poly(acrylate de n-butyle) (PnBA). L’incorporation de 50% molaire d’unités AA dans le bloc hydrophobe conduit à la formation d’agrégats pH-sensibles dans le cas du dibloc PAA-b-P(AA0.5-stat-nBA0.5) comme montré dans une étude antérieure. Cette thèse a consisté en une analyse quantitative de la dynamique d’auto-association de copolymères dibloc et tribloc amphiphiles à base d’acrylate de n-butyle et d’acide acrylique dont les blocs hydrophobes contiennent 50% d’unités hydrophiles réparties de manière statistique. Les copolymères à blocs ont été synthétisés par polymérisation radicalaire contrôlée par ATRP. L’influence de la concentration, du pH, de la température et de la force ionique sur la structure et les propriétés mécaniques des systèmes auto-assemblés a été systématiquement étudiée. Par diffusion statique de la lumière nous avons montré la présence d’une concentration d’agrégation critique (CAC) au-dessus de laquelle, des micelles de type étoile (dibloc) ou fleur (tribloc) sont formées par auto-association des blocs hydrophobes. A plus fortes concentrations, des interactions répulsives de type volume exclu apparaissent entre les micelles étoiles. Pour les micelles fleurs, à l’inverse des interactions attractives conduisent au pontage des fleurs jusqu’à l’obtention de réseaux tri-dimensionnels au-dessus de la concentration de percolation. Une attraction trop importante entre les fleurs peut même conduire à une séparation de phase à forte force ionique et bas pH. En diffusion dynamique de la lumière, nous avons montré que la formation des réseaux s’accompagnait de l’apparition d’un mode lent dont l’origine a été expliquée par un mouvement balistique d’hétérogénéités relaxées dans les systèmes. La vitesse de relaxation de ces hétérogénéités s’avèrent être dépendantes des propriétés mécaniques des hydrogels. La formation des réseaux et la dynamique d’échange des chaînes ont été étudiées par rhéologie. La viscosité augmente régulièrement avec la concentration jusqu’à la concentration de percolation où une augmentation brusque de la viscosité se produit et un temps de relaxation apparaît. Le temps de vie des ponts a été finement contrôlé et modulé sur plusieurs décades par modification du pH, de la température et de la force ionique. La formation in-situ des hydrogels nous a permis de mettre en évidence un phénomène de vieillissement des réseaux après leur formation avant d’atteindre un état stationnaire. Ce phénomène s’est traduit par une augmentation du temps de relaxation au cours du temps avant d’atteindre une valeur plateau. Ceci nous a également permis de comprendre pourquoi il était possible de générer des réseaux homogènes, par vieillissement, possédant une dynamique extrêmement lente voir nulle. / Amphiphilic block copolymers are macromolecules composed of at least one hydrophilic block chemically linked to one or several hydrophobic blocks. In water, these macromolecules self-assemble to form micelles composed of a hydrophobic core surrounded by a hydrated hydrophilic corona. The majority of amphiphilic block copolymers form “frozen” micelles in aqueous solution. This means that there is no dynamic exchange of chains between micelles because the energy necessary to extract a hydrophobic block from the core of micelles is too high. Consequently, the characteristics of the micelles are controlled kinetically and not thermodynamically. In order to decrease this energy, we have incorporated acrylic acid units (AA) in the hydrophobic block of poly(n-butyl acrylate) (PnBA). It was previously shown that the incorporation of 50% molar of AA units in the hydrophobic block led to generation of pH-sensitive micelles in the case of PAA-b-P(AA0.5-stat-nBA0.5) diblocks. This thesis presents of a quantitative analysis of the dynamics of self-assembled amphiphilic diblock and triblock copolymer based on acrylic acid units and n-butyl acrylate units. The hydrophobic blocks contained 50% of acrylic acids units incorporated randomly. The block copolymers were synthesized by controlled radical polymerization (ATRP). The influence of the concentration, pH, temperature and the ionic strength on the structure and the mechanical properties of the self-assembled systems was systematically studied. At low concentrations, static light scattering measurements showed the formation of star-like micelles (diblock) or flower-like micelles (triblock) above a critical aggregation concentration (CAC). At higher concentrations, purely repulsive excluded volume interactions between micelles appeared in the case of diblock copolymers. In the case of triblock copolymers bridging of flower-like micelles induced in addition attractive interactions leading to network formation above the percolation concentration. At high ionic strength and low pH, we showed that the attraction between flower-like micelles became sufficiently stong to induce phase separation. Dynamic light scattering measurements showed besides a fast mode due to cooperative diffusion, a second slow relaxation mode that appeared at the percolation concentration. The origin of this mode was explained by a balistic motion induced by the relaxation of heterogeneities inside the system. The velocity of heterogeneities was determined by the mechanical relaxation of the hydrogels. The formation of the network and the exchange dynamic of chains were studied by rheology. The viscosity of solutions increased sharply at the percolation concentration. The terminal visco-elastic relaxation time of the network is related to the lifetime of bridges. It could be controlled and tuned over several decades by varing of pH, temperature and the ionic strength. The in-situ formation of networks revealed an aging of networks after their formation before they reached their stationary state. Aging caused a slow increase of the relaxation time before reaching its steady value. This explains why it is possible to generate homogeneous networks even if the network at steady is kinetically frozen.